According to the Royal Academy of Music’s website and its announcement yesterday, I can now divulge that I am being awarded an ARAM some 30 years after leaving as a student. The Associate of the Royal Academy of Music is awarded in recognition of one’s achievements in and contribution to music.  Needless to say it’s a great honour to be recognised and I will be happy to add the letters ARAM to the ‘BMus(Hons), LRAM’ I already have after my name.

There will be a presentation ceremony in the very grandiose Duke’s Hall at the Academy in mid May. This is the home of the famous Sir Henry Wood bronze bust that takes pride and place on the stage of the Albert Hall during the Summer Proms concerts – I’m very much looking forward to seeing my old college and maybe even catching up with old colleagues.